BlackBerry Bold gets official release date, pricing

RIM BlackBerry Bold

(Credit: RIM)

This is it! This is the news we've been waiting for since May. On Wednesday, Research In Motion announced that the long-awaited RIM BlackBerry Bold will finally be available starting November 4 at AT&T for $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate.

Though the smartphone was originally slated for a summer release, as we all painfully know, the Bold was delayed time and time again. Part of it was the lengthy carrier certification process and most recently, RIM said it held off on the release to make sure the 3G experience would be the best at launch (after witnessing the iPhone 3G debacle). Hey, whatever the story, we're just glad to know we can finally get our hands on this sucker in a couple of weeks.

So despite all the delays and with new devices already on the market, are you going to get one?

[djzim23]

Unfortunately, no. I had wanted to see the Bold and iPhone3g to compare before I jumped ship with VZ, but this painstakingly slow release of the Bold pushed me to my iPhone. I got mine after OS 2.1 was released and I have had zero problems. I love 3g and I love my phone (doesn't hurt being in the DC metro area either)

[chipsinbox]

I agree totally with djzim23, I was going to wait for the the Bold (i had a Pearl and a succession of Treos prior), but when Apple improved the iPhone3G with 2.1, I rolled into BestBuy, dropped Sprint and haven't regretted it one minute. And I'm no Apple fanboy, in fact I haven't had ANY Apple products since a PowerMac back in the early 90s. I too am in the DC area.

[dashingemt]

Sadly no. My work has me tethered to sprint. It so fun watching all the new gear come out for other carriers and sprint is always the little kindergartner with asthma on the playground "Wait up guys....I'm coming" *puffs inhaler*

[Shun4rm323]

It is not just Sprint only, it is CDMA and if any iDen networks in general. GSM phones allow more freedom with phone usage and control as well if they aren't locked or restored to an original flash.

[mjbarak]

I was intrigued with this when it was announced, but then the iPhone became Exchange compatible (and, frankly, in a much better way than Windows Mobile phones). Also, I use a hosted exchange service, and while push e-mail to the iPhone is supported without cost, Blackberry support is another $9 per month.

[teky teky]

Well?. first let me say, IT'S ABOUT "BLEEPING" TIME! Ok, now I have released my frustrations with the countless Bold delays. I?m in the market for a new phone so it?ll be between the Bold and the HTC Fuze. I would like to see both side by side (and read CNET reviews) before I make my final decision.

[Shun4rm323]

You are much better off with the unlocked european counterparts. Although the bold is much more expensive being imported, it will last longer than any branded and messed up phone here. the HTC Touch Pro (Fuze) in itself is better than even the Sprint counterpart. I mean *** did they do to that Diamond, the black in the front and the red in the back are you serious?!?! The Bold being imported would work with AT&T's both GSM (Edge) and 3g out of the box without the extra junk.

[ice82]

Unless it comes out with CDMA, I will have to go with the Storm.

[CliffK2]

I am not sure if I will buy the Bold. I was going to get it, but now the Storm will be out about the same time. So I must try (must try being the operative workds) to be patient, and look first at the Bold and then the Storm.

I love the real keyboard of the 8800 I have, and expect I would like the Bold's real keyboard as well, but am willing to try the Storm's virtual keyboard, as I can use it in landscape mode. I like the idea of 3G, but Verizon also has a fast network. I am concerned about using the Storm OUS. I travel to Europe and Central/South America for business, and am hoping that the Storm will work in those areas, for a reasonable fee. I like the idea of a BIG screen as on the Storm, but the hi-def screen of the Bold is also enticing.

Finally, I would have to switch from AT&T to Verizon, and while I like Verizon's US network, I would not look forward to paying a penalty to end my AT&T contract early.

So on the fence. We'll see.

[ajenks]

Not as long as it is on AT&T, which we had a painful experience with in the San Diego area.

[drum_roll_plz]

Yes, i've alrdy waited since may, a few more weeks wont hurt. roll da drums plz!

[thesanemarketer]

I've been holding off on getting the iPhone, what seems like forever, to see the Bold and Storm in person (it's been very painful as I have a first generation Q on Verizon!). But given the pricing on the Bold at $299, if the Storm is more expensive, or even the same price, I'll be contributing to Apple's holiday sales...

[Persico06]

$300, what happened to competitive pricing, forget this, iPhone or Verizon's Blackberry Storm is the way to go !

[nonpareilsorell]

No way I'm getting a Bold now. I'd been waiting to get a Bold since May. Then just last week I broke down and bought an Iphone. The Iphone isn't perfect but I just got getting my hopes up only to be dashed again.

[crshinn]

Why in the world would both Apple (iPhone) and RIM (Bold) choose AT&T to be their exclusive carrier? AT&T service absolutely sucks here in San Diego and having to go with them is a true deal breaker. I just don't understand the logic behind choosing an exclusive carrier. If I could get the Bold on T-mobile, it would be a done deal.

[Shun4rm323]

Who says you can't?!?! Get it unlocked however since T-Mobile uses a different 3G band (1700MHz) than the standard AT&T 850/1900MHz that is your only fault. Quadband GSM is universal among the world so that will work fine.

[dnverb]

I'am sure you know this by now.As I just found this posting.But the BB Bold is on T-Mobile now.FYI

[BruceGil]

I hate to tell you San Diego guys, but not everyone lives there. I just know that with AT&T, when my daughter was in Europe and I was traveling through a rural area miles from any city in the southeast U.S., I got a clear call from her.

[crshinn]

I'm sure AT&T is great in many places, but just not anywhere I've lived including Seattle, the SF Bay area and San Diego. My wife and my parents also had problems with their service in Dallas, Las Vegas and Fresno so it's not just a San Diego thing. Besides that, their customer service completely sucks.

[crshinn]

One more thing...

Don't just take it from me, look at the J.D. Power ratings for cell phone coverage and see for yourself. AT&T consistently gets low ratings no matter where you live.

http://www.jdpower.com/Telecom/ratings/wireless-call-quality-ratings-(volume-2)

[pres4249]

I got tired of waiting for the Bold to be released (or even the announcement of a release date from RIM). Now I suppose I'll have to go through the same thing again with the Storm, too. Screw that. I bought a iPhone last week, instead.

I think RIM is messing up here. Rushing to announce your new product too early can cause your prospective customers to delay purchasing your existing products. Customers will hold their money and wait for the new product (why buy obsolete goods?). This, in turn, can cause your cash flow to dry up if your new product is delayed. This is exactly what happened to many companies in the 1980's (Osbourne, for one), and most went out of business.

[tigertown487]

I continue to be baffled by all the people who say at&t's reception sucks. I live in a small rural town in SC and my at&t reception is fantastic. I even get 3G here (only because it's home to a large college) and it's excellent as well. I have never had any problems with at&t, and yes, I have an iPhone and LOVE it!!

[mzlogan]

It is about time. Now, I wonder if it will ever make it's way to Sprint. Probably not before I get tired of lugging around this Treo 650. So now it's down between the Treo 800W and the HTC Touch Pro.

[sarb2008]

Ummm i don't know how but i already got this phone, like 2 weeks back. Maybe because i live in Canada and Rimm is Canadian based. I don't know. Great phone though.

[dotsme2]

Is there ANYTHING about your Bold that you don't like or have had problems with?????

[schnitzenbotak]

I was going to compare the Bold to the iPhone 3G but I got tired of waiting so I went with the iPhone. My only regret is finding out that the Storm is coming out on Verizon... I had to switch from Verizon to get the 3G, and I might not have done it if I'd found out the Storm was coming out on the BEST network. ah well. I'm still in love with my 3G.

[dotsme2]

I am waiting still. Now it is happening for sure. Got this from 2 ATT employees as well as the ATT press release. I have also heard the HTC Fuze is going to be incredible. I have the curve, love it, but want the new features and the 3g. ATT has been great for me no matter where I have traveled.

[dotsme2]

I am waiting still. Now it is happening for sure. Got this from 2 ATT employees as well as the ATT press release. I have also heard the HTC Fuze is going to be incredible. I have the curve, love it, but want the new features and the 3g. ATT has been great for me no matter where I have traveled.